Water cooler [The Indianapolis Star]

July 25--Hilbert mansion II

Another mansion associated with Steve and Tomisue Hilbert is for sale.

This time it's a spectacular getaway on the Caribbean island of St. Martin.

The asking price is $29 million for the island resort, listed for sale with Christie's Great Estates.

Tomisue's website (www .tomisue.com) offers the spread for rent for luxury vacations and notes that she designed it. Steve Hilbert did not return a phone call seeking comment about the sale.

Many NBA stars and other celebrities have stayed at the palatial estate, dubbed Le Chateau des Palmiers, or Chateau of the Palms, the website says. Those celebrities include Donald Trump and Anna Nicole Smith.

The estate features an oceanside villa with five bedrooms and five full private baths, plus three half-baths, a two-story master suite, Jacuzzi, two private balconies facing the ocean and formal dining room for 10. The neighboring gardenside villa features four bedrooms with private baths, a "jungle room" with king-sized bed, a "palm room" with king-sized mahogany bed, a cozy dining room and huge commercial kitchen.

Here's hoping Christie's has better luck unloading this jewel of the Caribbean than real estate agents have had trying to sell the Hilberts' former mansion in Carmel.

A buyer at last?

Interest in the Aug. 27 auction of the Hilberts' former Carmel estate is raising hopes that a buyer will finally be found after five long years on the market.

Greg Cooper and Dick Richwine of Prudential Indiana Realty Group were astonished when they recorded 215,000 page views in the past week for the virtual web tour of the Carmel house (www.indianamansion.com).

The web traffic included 800 views from Chicago, 600 from New York and 400 from California -- all places the brokers hope will bring solid leads.

Cooper wouldn't name names, but confirmed several prospective bidders have taken personal tours of the Carmel house.

"Even in this economy, I'm convinced that there are plenty of qualified buyers, but they're looking for some ridiculous values," said Cooper.

The listing price in 2005 was $20 million, was slashed to $9.9 million last year and now is offered in a sealed-bid auction.

Hilbert lost the Carmel estate to Conseco, now known as CNO Financial Group, to repay millions he had borrowed from the company.

He has said he might be interested in bidding on the 25,000-square-foot estate he still thinks of as home.

Stepping down

Vop Osili has designs on a new career.

So much so that he is leaving the architecture firm he founded 10 years ago and plans to sell his 50 percent share.

All so he can run for Indiana secretary of state.

"If Hoosiers approve me as Indiana's secretary of state, I think it's important for them to know that I am free of all conflicts of interest," said Osili, the Democratic nominee. "It is the right and honorable thing to do."

Osili and business partner Sanford Garner started their firm, A2S04, in 2000. Together, the longtime friends expanded it from four to 20 employees. Some of their more notable projects include designing and renovating space on the second floor of Union Station and doing work at Lucas Oil Stadium.

As part of the transition, Garner will become president of A2S04, overseeing the day-to-day operations. Kevin Russell will be promoted to director of operations and Felicia Brown will become chief financial officer.

Garner said the decision was tough, but it is in the best interest of clients, employees and the business.

"It's hard to say goodbye to a business partner, but at the same time, this is an exciting time in both of our lives," he said.

Osili has opened a campaign office on Virginia Avenue in Fountain Square.

Deli fans, rejoice

And if you stop by Osili's campaign office, you may also want to check out a new place to lunch: Square Rootz Deli.

While the name is new, the concept of the restaurant isn't. Owner Jeff Reuter was part of the popular Joe Reuzar's Deli that closed in 2005.

He has reworked that concept and opened Square Rootz at 1110 Prospect St. across from the Fountain Square Theatre building.

Fans of the old deli will find familiar offerings: Boars Head meats and cheeses crafted into sandwiches, hot lunches featuring Reuter's popular meatloaf, a robust selection of vintage sodas and homemade desserts Reuter also has gluten-free options.

Square Rootz is open for lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Wednesday. It's open for lunch and dinner from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.

-- Compiled by Bruce C. Smith and Dana Hunsinger

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